Roommates face murder charges in the overdose death of a toddler in San Jose
In an unprecedented move, the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office has charged two individuals accused of drug dealing with murder in connection with the fentanyl overdose death of an 18-month-old child.
Phillip Ortega and Paige Vitale resided in the San Jose condominium with the child, referred to in court as baby Winter, and were present on the day of her death in August.
According to prosecutors, baby Winter had 15 times the lethal amount of fentanyl in her blood when she passed away at her residence.
Prosecutors alleged that Ortega and Vitale supplied drugs to baby Winter’s parents and were involved in drug dealing from the condominium. Investigators reported finding videos showing them using drugs in the presence of the child.